Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 96 The Frustrated Prince Duan

Chapter 96: Chapter 96 The Frustrated Prince Duan

Nanmen Yu saw Zheng Nianru being pulled away and was not surprised by such an incident; Qi Jin and Qi Yu looked at Nanmen Yu with disdain.

"What, do we need to invite you in as well?"

Nanmen Yu bid his farewell calmly. Look down on me? Indeed, there was nothing about him now that would make Prince Duan look up to him.

Prince Duan took Zheng Nianru and headed towards the Crown Prince’s Mansion. As they entered the great hall, he suddenly stopped. What was he doing at the Crown Prince’s Mansion?

Disciplining someone in Fu Xun’s place? Such things should not be known to outsiders.

Prince Duan immediately headed back outside with his entourage.

"Father—" Zheng Nianru didn’t want to leave; she was too tired from the morning’s events, and her voice carried a hint of complaint. What was the point of all this running around?

As soon as Prince Duan heard Zheng Nianru’s voice, the anger he had been suppressing seemed to rise again. He turned around and glared at Zheng Nianru, pointing a hand towards the outside.

"Who is that?" Out in broad daylight with a man, are you afraid that others won’t see you?

"Father, that’s the hostage from Nanmen State, living just outside the Imperial Palace." Zheng Nianru originally wanted to retort; hadn’t she already explained? But upon second thought, she decided not to argue and patiently explained once more.

"A hostage, you know he’s a hostage from Nanmen State, but how do you know him?" Prince Duan suddenly spoke incoherently, not sure what to say. No, he shouldn’t have let him go just now; he should’ve seized him and beat him to death on the spot. Did that kid actually lure Nian Ru out of the palace?

Prince Duan immediately turned to stare at Zheng Nianru, took a couple deep breaths and managed to swallow down the anger welling up in his chest.

"He has ulterior motives?" Even if he were a hostage from Nanmen State, he should be in the outer court. How could he know Nian Ru, if not with ulterior motives?

Zheng Nianru observed the frantic look on his face. To say that she didn’t care would be impossible. Prince Duan’s overprotectiveness had always been reckless, so how could she let him be hurt again? Even in her previous lifetime, she wouldn’t dare utter such rebellious words.

She had begun to understand Zheng Congyuan’s mindset back then.

Zheng Nianru’s eyes, bright and clear, fixed upon Prince Duan. They shone with an innocent light, as she looked at Zheng Boding, resembling a child who was having a lot of fun but suddenly sensed the emotions of her parents—somewhat innocent, somewhat timid, and a bit aggrieved.

"Father, I saved him once in the palace. He then brought me fun things and tasty treats..." Zheng Nianru’s voice was as pure and spirited as a fairy lost in the world, and her clear tones washed over Prince Duan like a crystalline spring.

Prince Duan was taken aback, slowly beginning to realize something. His daughter, locked away since childhood, what did she know of ulterior motives?

Prince Duan wished he could slap himself for the anger he felt, filled with regret. What did she know? Did she know about the etiquette between men and women? Perhaps all she wanted was to escape the palace and play in secret.

"Father, I was wrong. I won’t sneak out of the palace anymore." Zheng Nianru stepped forward and grabbed onto Prince Duan’s clothes. Her voice, showing vulnerability, resounded in Prince Duan’s heart, confirming his suspicions.

Prince Duan sighed and reached out to touch his daughter’s head, but his hand paused midway and he put it down.

"Father will take you back to the palace." Prince Duan looked at his daughter with some guilt. It was his incompetence that had made Zheng Nianru live in such a place for so many years without a mother’s guidance or the care of siblings, pure and clear as an infant. And yet, he had blamed Nian Ru for this.

It was his incompetence, still trapped in such a conundrum to this day, unable to escape.

"Father, I want to stay with you a little longer." Zheng Nianru held on to Prince Duan, wanting sincerely to spend more time with him.

Thus, Zheng Nianru hesitated again. If she went to Nanmen State, what would happen to Prince Duan? Could he bear to part with her, the one he cherished so much?

...

The investigation was swift, and Zheng Congyuan nearly laid out all the facts of the ninth story before Zheng Boding.

Zheng Boding rubbed his temple somewhat painfully, so Nian Ru didn’t lie? In a moment of soft-heartedness, he saved Nanmen Yu, and then consequently became acquainted with that Devil King of Chaos, Zheng Haoyuan?

He had thought, how could Nian Ru have gotten to know such a shameless person all of a sudden? So it was also here.

But did this provide the hostage from Nanmen State with a reason to approach Nian Ru with ulterior motives? If not plotting something, then what?

Prince Duan had not slept at all last night and arrived at the inn early the next morning with his people.

Prince Duan didn’t go in directly but stood outside, looking over and over again. Was this Nian Ru’s money?

It had to be said, Nanmen Yu was quite skilled, not only deceiving money from Nian Ru’s hands but also solving his own food and clothing problems, and this room too?

Second Uncle Jing was the first to spot Prince Duan standing at the door; at first, he thought he was a customer, but he didn’t look like one, more like someone coming to smash the place.

Uncertain, Nanmen Yu had already made his way out of the inn first, immediately coming in front of Prince Duan. Though nervous, he dared not show his anxiety.

Prince Duan looked at the young man before him, dressed in an unadorned light blue silk garment, with a dust-avoiding belt at his waist. Not luxurious, but the youth had an ethereal temperament, with clear eyebrows and bright eyes like the moon. Standing there, he was exceptionally handsome.

Prince Duan snorted coldly, so even if this outfit isn’t luxurious, it’s still bought with his Nian Ru’s money, isn’t it?

"Prince Duan, this junior has been rude." Nanmen Yu felt uncomfortable under such scrutinizing gaze but could only stand still, enduring a gaze sharp as a knife cut and greeted with profound respect.

Housekeeper He stood to the side, saying nothing. It was reasonable for Prince Duan to be furious over the Commandery Princess’s matter, but to him, the youth did not seem like a frivolous man. His composure made Housekeeper He view him a bit differently.

Without saying a word, Prince Duan walked into the inn. It was early morning, and the establishment wasn’t yet bustling with business, with all the servants diligently cleaning the hall, a scene buzzing with life.

"Prince Duan, please come this way." Nanmen Yu promptly invited Prince Duan upstairs and led him toward a particular elegant private room.

Prince Duan sat down directly in the seat of honor while Second Uncle Jing guessed the identity of the visitor and had Xing Cheng carefully bring over some tea.

Nanmen Yu stood by the side, silently waiting.

Nanmen Yu knew that Prince Duan’s visit meant he had certainly investigated quite a bit. Yesterday, two groups from the Crown Prince’s Mansion had gone in and out of Prince Duan’s Mansion. If Prince Duan wanted to find something out, naturally, he could find out quite a lot—but to what extent?

He thought he had acted very modestly and respectfully, thinking only of his future with Nian Ru. The sole time he visited Qishun Building during daylight, the Fourth Prince was also present.

"Since I’m here, I won’t beat around the bush. I’ve heard this inn is bought by my Nian Ru?" Prince Duan slowly started speaking. Nian Ru’s belongings ending up in this youngster’s hands was evidence, how could that be right? It would be better for it to have no connection with anyone else.

Nanmen Yu was taken aback but guessed the implication.

He immediately had Second Uncle Jing fetch a stack of land deeds and documents.

"Prince Duan, these are the deeds and documents for this inn, as well as for the other properties and businesses of the Commandery Princess, including their revenues and earnings." Nanmen Yu personally delivered the documents into Prince Duan’s hands.

Prince Duan looked at two of them and then his expression slowly became more solemn—an obvious question staring him in the face.

Where could Nian Ru have gotten so much money?

He could believe in buying two or three shops, but the assets he was holding were of substantial weight.